Millennium Update
August 15, 1999

There have been many dramatic changes in American society since the 19th century - air travel, telecommunications, computers, the automobile, modern medicine.

But none of those technological developments, significant as they certainly are, are any more important than the changed role of women in the culture.

This is true in the business world as well as in other areas of life. Take a look at businesses right here in beautiful, sunny, scenic Fostoria. Many are owned and/or managed by women.

But lest anyone think this is an entirely new development, consider Bertha Wickerd - "Fostoria's leading business woman" in 1907.

Bertha was born Bertha Welty in Tiffin January 7, 1866. She married Benedict Wickerd and they had one son, Otis.

In 1885, Bertha and family moved to Fostoria. She had always loved music and she took a position as sales clerk in W.A. Gibbon's Music Store at 233 N. Main St.

She did quite well and in 1898 became a traveling saleswoman for Gibbon.

Once again she was successful selling the store's merchandise throughout the area.

Buoyed by her accomplishments, Bertha decided to forego life on the road and go into the music business for herself. In 1899, in a tiny half-room at 114 ½ N. Main, with $50 that she invested in a small stock of sheet music and musical supplies, she opened her doors.

Talent augmented by hard work paid dividends. In April 1907, having outgrown her shop, she moved her business to more extensive accommodations, a house which she purchased at 114 E. North St.

Now known as the "Palace of Music," Bertha's enterprise stocked a full line of musical instruments in addition to the sheet music and supplies.

For $1,000 you could stroll right into the Palace of Music and buy a grand piano.

She decided it was time to join a merchant's association to further her business interests and when she paid her dues to the National Piano Dealers' Association, she became its only female member.

Buying her own building must have struck a chord. Bertha invested some of her profits in a number of rental properties.

She also operated her own dray line. A dray was a small, sturdy cart without fixed sides for carrying heavy loads - like grand pianos, for instance.

Bertha's business abilities were an asset beyond her own commercial interests. For some years she served on the board of directors of the Seneca County Fair Association. Her fair exhibits routinely captured blue ribbons.

The Wickerd's home was located at 164 E. Tiffin St. Bertha was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She belonged to the Home Guards, the Pythian Sisters and the Ben Hur Lodge.

Sadly, Bertha's business ventures came to an all too premature end. In mid-July 1914, she began experiencing stomach pains.

A week later she was admitted to St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo where she had surgery for an obstructed bowel. Complications developed and though she lived another three weeks, doctors held out little hope of her survival.

Bertha died in the night on August 13, 1914. She was 48 years old.

Bertha's career may have been of brief duration, but she succeeded handsomely at a time when such opportunities for women were limited.

Her accomplishments were born of talent and enterprise. Eighty-five years later, she remains a good example for anyone who desires to succeed.